Shape-retainer.



No. 819,774. PATENTED MAY 8, 1906.

E. S. LEFEVRE.

SHAPE RETAINER.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 16, 1905.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SHAPE-RETAINER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

.catenteu. May 8, 1906.

Application filed M y 16,1905- Serial No. 260,711.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ENOOH S. LEFEVRE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Littlestown, in the county of Adams and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Shape-Retainers; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to a shape-retainer for coats; and its object is to provide a simple, durable, and inexpensive device of this character which can be quickly attached to or detached from the inside of the coat, so as to cause the same to retain its proper form and to lie smooth.

Another object is to provide means whereby the retainer will be held in proper position at all times while in use.

With the above and other objects in view the invention consists of a metallic strip properly shaped to give the desired contour to the coat and having means at its ends for detachably engaging the inner fabric in such a manner as to be incapable of moving longitudinally after being properly applied.

The invention also consists in further novel construction and combination of parts hereinafter more fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings I have shown the referred form of my invention.

In said rawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view showing my improved shape-retainer properly fastened inside a coat. Fig. 2 is a detail view of the retainer, and Figs. 3 and 4 are similar views of modified forms.

Referring to the figures by numerals of reference, 1 is a bowed wire of spring metal having a U-shaped hook 2 at one end, which is pointed, as shown at 3. This hook is preferably arranged at right angles to the strip 1 and extends across the end of said strip, as shown. At the other end of the strip are formed two parallel hooks or loops 4 and 5, the end one of which terminates in a'sharpened prong 6, which is similar to the prong of hook 2 and also extends across the end of the strip 1. The two hooks 4 and 5 constitute stops for preventing longitudinal movement of the strlp 1 after it has been placed in engagement with the fabric of the garment.

In-using the retainer herein described it will be understood that a pair is employed. These are bowed in opposite directions to constitute rights and lefts. The point of hook 3 is inserted into the inner fabric or facing of the coat adjacent the edge thereof and close to the lower point .of the lapel. After the prong of the hook has been fully inserted said hook is drawn downward, so as to assume a position within the fabric, as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 1. The prong 6is then likewise inserted into the fabric and is subsequently pulled downward, so as to cause the hook 5 to assume a position within the coat, as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 1. The fabric of the coat facing or lining will therefore assume a position between the two hooks 4 and 5, and longitudinal movement of the retainer is therefore prevented. As the hook 2 is inserted into the coat at the edge thereof, it will of course be understood that longitudinal movement of the retainer at this end cannot occur. By providing a retainer of this character within each side of the coat the coat will be caused to assume a smooth curved form and will beheld against rolling orwrinkling, thereby presenting a neat appearance at all times. The retainer can be quickly detached by raising it so as to release the curved ends of the hooks from the fabric. Said retainer can then be pulled downward to withdraw the pron 's of the hooks.

In view of the fact that the retainers are capable of being quickly attached or detached one pair can be used in a number of coats successfully, although it will of course be understood that one pair may be utilized for each coat.

The retainers will be manufactured of enameled or covered metal or of metal which is so colored as to match different kinds of fabrics, whereby the same is rendered practically unnoticeable.

IVhile I have shown my referred form of retainer in Figs. 1 and 2, can, if desired, construct it of astrip of sheet metal, as shown in Fig. 3. By referring to this figure it will be noticed that the strip 7 has integral prongs 8 at its ends, and a straight edge9 connects the prongs and' constitutes a stop. This stop 7 is also bowed and is placed in position of springing it together, whereby the prongs can be placed against the facing or lining of the coat and when the strip is released will move lon itudinally into engagement therewith unti the stop edge 9 prevents further longitudinal movement. Also in Fig. 4 it will be noticed that Ihave shown another modification consisting of a length 10 of wire allel hooksat the other end constituting a stop and a prong integral with one of said 15 parallel hoo s saidprongs and their hooks adapted to project into engagement with a portion of a coat. I

In testimony whereof have signed my name to this specification in the presence of 20 two subscribing witnesses.

ENOCH S. LEFEVRE.

Witnesses:

A. TRUTH LE FEVRE, CHARLES H. MAYERS. 

